Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

What is Project 543?

Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

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Take your picture at the ‘Hub of the Seaboard’

During its heyday, the central North Carolinian city of Hamlet functioned as division headquarters for the Seaboard Airline Railroad and provided hospitality for passengers from New York to Florida. Now, Hamlet Depot, originally built in 1900 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the most photographed train station in the eastern United States. Take your family to tour the Depot, see models in the Tornado room and walk through a full-size train and caboose. You might even be lucky enough to spot a train passing through on the tracks — the popular spot remains an active passenger depot. The location also hosts the popular Annual Seaboard Festival at the end of October, celebrating Hamlet’s railroad heritage. Continue your expedition by visiting landmarks along the self-guided Seaboard Trail to unravel the history of “The Little Town that Does.”